Poole Harbour played host to the Sea Angling Liaison Committee (SALC) 2024 Home Nations Boat Championships.
Wales were represented by Mark Northam (Manager), Colin Thomas (Captain), Steve Tyler, Joe Protheroe, Alan Coombes and Alan Jones.
They battled it out in Dorset across two days alongside their counterparts from hosts England and holders Ireland, with Scotland sadly unable to field a team this year.
The event was strongly expected to be mainly a black bream fest, although teams used their practice days to cover all eventualities.
The forecast for both competition days was strong winds, so fishing was restricted to an extensive blow off zone.
On day one all boats headed for the rocks of ‘old Harry’ and were quickly into the bream – and this transpired to be the order of the day with no other species targeted.
After a gruelling six hours of continuous fishing the three boats recorded over 1,200 in-size (over 20cm) bream.
The Welsh team competed well, but were left in the wake of England and Ireland with Colin Thomas having the best score for Wales.
Day two was an exact copy of day one but, with what had been learnt from the previous day and the overnight tweaking of rigs, saw all Welsh team members get improved catches, with Mark Northam having the best score.
Ireland retained the title after coming from behind heading into day two to pip the hosts at the post. Ireland grabbed victory after totalling a two-day percentage of 893.2% against the 864.95% of England with Wales taking third on 606.9%.
Over 2,000 bream were recorded and it was great to rekindle old friendships with the other nations. Bring on next year!
Result:
1 Ireland 893.2%
2 England 864.95%
3 Wales 606.9%
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